Golf legend Byron Nelson, Sept. 26

AP, file

Golf legend Byron Nelson, Sept. 26 Byron Nelson's graceful swing and gentle manner earned him the nickname "Lord Byron," a tribute to the courtly Texan whose kind, caring style with fans and competitors made him one of the most well-liked figures in sports. But what will forever set Nelson apart is a single record, one that no golfer has ever approached: his 11 straight tournament victories in 1945, the greatest year in the history of golf. Nelson died Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2006, at the age of 94 in Tarrant County, Texas. "I don't think that anyone will ever exceed the things that Byron did by winning 11 tournaments in a row in one year," said Arnold Palmer. The closest any player has come to Nelson's streak is six, first by Ben Hogan in 1948. When Tiger Woods reached that number in 1999-2000, Nelson was typically gracious when putting his own mark into perspective. "Anytime you make a record stand for 55 years, why, you've done pretty good," he told The Associated Press.

Golf legend Byron Nelson, Sept. 26 Byron Nelson's graceful swing and gentle manner earned him the nickname "Lord Byron," a tribute to the courtly Texan whose kind, caring style with fans and competitors made him one of the most well-liked figures in sports. But what will forever set Nelson apart is a single record, one that no golfer has ever approached: his 11 straight tournament victories in 1945, the greatest year in the history of golf. Nelson died Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2006, at the age of 94 in Tarrant County, Texas. "I don't think that anyone will ever exceed the things that Byron did by winning 11 tournaments in a row in one year," said Arnold Palmer. The closest any player has come to Nelson's streak is six, first by Ben Hogan in 1948. When Tiger Woods reached that number in 1999-2000, Nelson was typically gracious when putting his own mark into perspective. "Anytime you make a record stand for 55 years, why, you've done pretty good," he told The Associated Press. (AP, file)

Golf legend Byron Nelson, Sept. 26 Byron Nelson's graceful swing and gentle manner earned him the nickname "Lord Byron," a tribute to the courtly Texan whose kind, caring style with fans and competitors made him one of the most well-liked figures in sports. But what will forever set Nelson apart is a single record, one that no golfer has ever approached: his 11 straight tournament victories in 1945, the greatest year in the history of golf. Nelson died Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2006, at the age of 94 in Tarrant County, Texas. "I don't think that anyone will ever exceed the things that Byron did by winning 11 tournaments in a row in one year," said Arnold Palmer. The closest any player has come to Nelson's streak is six, first by Ben Hogan in 1948. When Tiger Woods reached that number in 1999-2000, Nelson was typically gracious when putting his own mark into perspective. "Anytime you make a record stand for 55 years, why, you've done pretty good," he told The Associated Press.